Great Plains Food Bank addresses hunger in North Dakota with a $10,000 gift from Dakota Plains Cooperative and the Land O’ Lakes Foundation

Fargo, ND – The Great Plains Food Bank, a program of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, received $5,000 from Dakota Plains Cooperative and a $5,000 match grant from the Land O’ Lakes Foundation, which will provide food for 40,000 meals to children, families and seniors struggling with hunger in southeast North Dakota.

Dakota Plains Cooperative is a locally owned and operated farm supply cooperative, serving the communities of Ashley, Elliott, Englevale, Forman, Gwinner, LaMoure, Lidgerwood, Lisbon, Litchville, Milnor, Oakes, Valley City and Wyndmere. These gifts will help the Great Plains Food Bank serve these communities by recovering surplus food and grocery products from the food industry and distributing it to individuals and families seeking emergency food assistance at its partner network of shelters, soup kitchens and food pantries throughout the region.

"We are fortunate to have partners like Dakota Plains Cooperative and the Land O’ Lakes Foundation, who are stepping forward and taking the lead in addressing hunger," said Steve Sellent, director of the Great Plains Food Bank. "The number of people seeking help at our statewide network of food shelves, soup kitchens and emergency shelters continues to grow, and Dakota Plains Cooperative and Land O’ Lakes Foundation support will have a significant impact on our ability to meet this need."

In 2012, the Great Plains Food Bank distributed a record 11.4 million pounds of food, touching the lives of more than 75,00 individuals – 35% being children and 12% seniors